Toilet module for a vehicle and a vehicle including a toilet module

ABSTRACT

A toilet module and a vehicle including a toilet module are provided. An exemplary toilet module includes a toilet unit and a housing. The housing includes a front wall with an access opening, a first functional wall arranged opposite the front wall and supporting the toilet unit, and a second functional wall perpendicular to the front wall and extending between the front wall and the first functional wall. Further, the toilet module includes a storage shelf attached to the housing and a swivable table attached to the housing and movable to an extended configuration. The swivable table overlaps the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/EP2012/069289, filed Sep. 28, 2012, which application claimspriority to German Patent Application No. 10 2012 003 713.9, filed Feb.24, 2012, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/602,692, filedFeb. 24, 2012, and to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/466,465, filed Aug.22, 2014, which are each incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to a toilet module for a vehicle and to avehicle including a vehicle cabin and a toilet module.

BACKGROUND

An important goal when setting up passenger cabins in means of transportis often to maximise the available number of seats for passengers, whichis limited among other things by the number of prescribed seats forflight attendants and by prescribed safety means, supply means andtoilets. The ratio of the number of passenger seats to other means inthe passenger cabin is a factor which influences the economic viabilityof an aircraft in line operation. As well as official regulations forthe prototype certification and operational certification of means oftransport, customer wishes should also be taken into account whenselecting seat sizes, seat spacings, supply means and toilets, forexample customer-specific special installations by operators of themeans of transport.

It is generally virtually impossible to alter the sizes of aircraftkitchens because of the food which is to be carried and because of therequired warming means capacity. However, DE 10 2009 034 406 A1discloses an expandable toilet module of which the external dimensionscan be enlarged during flight. Nevertheless, this can only be providedin a door region into which the toilet module can be enlarged.

DE 43 00 877 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,260 A disclose an aircraftcomprising a series of supply means and toilets.

In addition, other objects, desirable features and characteristics willbecome apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description,and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings and this background.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment, a toilet module for a vehicle is providedand includes a toilet unit and a housing. The housing includes a frontwall with an access opening, a first functional wall arranged oppositethe front wall and supporting the toilet unit, and a second functionalwall perpendicular to the front wall and extending between the frontwall and the first functional wall. Further, the toilet module includesa storage shelf attached to the housing and a swivable table attached tothe housing and movable to an extended configuration. The swivable tableoverlaps the storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

In another embodiment, a vehicle is provided and includes a vehiclecabin and a toilet module. The toilet module includes a housing and atoilet unit, wherein the toilet unit has a longitudinal extension axis.The housing includes a first functional wall arranged opposite the frontwall and supporting the toilet unit, a second functional wall extendingbetween the first functional wall and the front wall, wherein the secondfunctional wall is perpendicular to the front wall, a front wall with anaccess opening, wherein the housing encloses a floor surface on theunderside of the housing; and wherein the toilet unit has a longitudinalextension axis which forms an angle with the second functional wall. Thetoilet module further includes a horizontally arranged storage shelfinside the toilet module adjacent to the second functional wall, and aswivable table attached to the housing and movable to an extendedconfiguration, wherein the swivable table overlaps the horizontallyarranged storage shelf when in the extended configuration.

In yet another embodiment, a toilet module for a vehicle includes atoilet unit and a housing. The housing includes a front wall with anaccess opening, a first functional wall arranged opposite the front walland supporting the toilet unit; a second functional wall perpendicularto the front wall and extending between the front wall and the firstfunctional wall, and a third functional wall parallel to the secondfunctional wall and perpendicular to the front wall and extendingbetween the front wall and the first functional wall. The toilet modulefurther includes a storage shelf attached to the housing, and a swivabletable extending from the second functional wall to the third functionalwall and movable to an extended configuration, wherein the swivabletable is supported by the storage shelf when in the extendedconfiguration.

Various teachings of the present disclosure provide a toilet modulewhich is as compact as possible for integration into a vehicle cabin andwhich basically has the smallest possible width, while having an overalldepth which is unchanged in so far as possible by comparison withconventional toilet modules, so as to optimise the space provided in thevehicle cabin.

A toilet module for a vehicle comprises a front wall, a first functionalwall and at least one second functional wall, the first functional wallbeing arranged opposite the front wall and supporting a toilet unit, theat least one second functional wall extending between the firstfunctional wall and the front wall and perpendicular to the front wall,the toilet unit having a longitudinal extension axis which forms anangle which is greater than 0° with the at least one second functionalwall.

The names of the individual walls of the housing of the toilet moduleaccording to the various teachings of the present disclosure areselected in accordance with their purpose. While a front wall acts as avisual barrier separating the toilet module from a passenger cabin andallows access through an opening, the first functional wall and the atleast one second functional wall are primarily required for thesupporting function thereof in particular, so as to achieve the objectof the toilet module.

The toilet module is constructed in such a way that it can beaccommodated between other modules or between rows of seats in atransverse or longitudinal direction of a vehicle cabin. In thiscontext, the access opening in the front wall can be entered from anaisle within the vehicle, and so the front wall should be orientatedeither parallel to the aisle or, if the toilet module is in a tailregion of the aircraft, perpendicular thereto.

A toilet unit may refer in one example, to a toilet bowl or a urinal onwhich a frame, a housing, an adapter or an attachment flange is arrangedfor fixing to a wall. The toilet unit is equipped with means which arerequired for the operation thereof, such as incoming water and wastewater connections, locking sensors, control elements and optionallycover elements. In this context, the toilet unit can generally comprisea base which faces away from a use side and which can be fixed to thefirst functional wall.

The first functional wall is the wall which supports the toilet unit.The user of the toilet module according to the present disclosure entersthe space enclosed by the housing through the access opening, and uponentering is facing directly towards the toilet unit on the oppositeside. What is special about the toilet module is that the longitudinalextension axis of the toilet unit is not orientated perpendicular orparallel to one of the at least two functional walls, as is conventionalin the prior art, but is oblique thereto at a particular angle. The userthus steps towards a toilet unit which is not orientated towards him ina straight line, but exhibits asymmetry. Thus, additional space can becreated on one side of the toilet unit, making it easier to accommodateand use a washstand or other means. At the same time, this makes itpossible to reduce the width of the toilet module, since the spacerequired for a comfortable visit is available even with a reduced width.In this way, the toilet module according to the various teachings of thepresent disclosure can be made significantly narrower than conventionaltoilet units, thus making it possible to enlarge the available spacewithin the vehicle cabin without having to forgo required means orcomfort.

In one embodiment, a base of the toilet unit is arranged centrally onthe first functional wall. The base is accordingly vertically centred onthe first functional wall.

In one embodiment, the at least one second functional wall issubstantially planar and has a plane of extension which extends from thefloor surface to an upper face of the toilet module. In this embodiment,there are no protrusions or indentations.

In one embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal extension axis ofthe toilet unit and the second functional wall is in a range of fromabout 15° to about 45°. A significant increase in space within thetoilet module can be achieved from an angle of approximately 15°onwards. Angles over about 45° have no significant influence on theavailable space, but can make the toilet unit less comfortable to use.

In one embodiment, the first functional wall is of a curved shape whichcorresponds at least in portions to a curved fuselage wall of a vehicle.This applies in particular to the fuselage of an aircraft, which isoften of a cylindrical or elliptical shape or any desired mixed shapes.If the toilet module according to the present disclosure is integratedtransversely between rows of passenger seats, alongside or in a modulararrangement, the first functional wall may be of a curved shape whichmakes it possible for the toilet module to extend from an aisle in theaircraft cabin until it is directly against the fuselage wall. The firstfunctional wall is thus tight, at least in part, against the fuselagewall and makes optimum use of space possible. The arrangement of thetoilet unit on this curved first functional wall makes it possible, withsufficient expansion in the longitudinal extension axis, to use thetoilet unit while sitting without being constrained, there still beingsufficient space for standing between the toilet unit and the frontwall. If the toilet unit is used while sitting, the user's knees pointaway from the second functional wall, in such a way that a washbasin orthe like which is arranged there does not get in the way.

It is to be understood that the first functional wall may also comprisea completely flat shape, even in curved portions of the fuselage, suchas in a rear section comprising a pressure bulkhead. In the spacebetween the first functional wall and the fuselage also functionalcomponents may be installed as well as stowage compartments or similar.

In one embodiment, the toilet module has an upper face, at least onesecond functional wall having on the upper face a portion to which astorage compartment is attached, which extends outwards from the housingof the toilet module. Valuable storage space can thus be providedoutside the toilet module in a region of the vehicle cabin which wouldnot be used by passengers sitting adjacent to the toilet module, whileat the same time not taking up space within the toilet module. If thetoilet module according to the present disclosure is located somewhat tothe side of an aisle in a vehicle cabin, there are often storagecompartments adjacent thereto, above the passenger seats. These areoften only available in standardised dimensions, since they are to befixed between structural components, such as fuselage formers, which aredistributed equidistantly over the length of the vehicle fuselage andthus predetermine a particular transverse extent of the storagecompartments. If the toilet module does not correspond exactly to thewidth of a storage compartment of this type having predetermineddimensions, or if it is not located directly on the relevant structuralcomponents which are used for fixing storage compartments, a regionbetween the upper face of the toilet modules and the following storagecompartment has to be bridged. This is often achieved with a blind,which has a purely visual function. The toilet module according to thepresent disclosure can make it possible to use this space in anexpedient manner with the externally attached storage compartment. Thestorage compartment can be dimensioned in such a way that it canadditionally be covered by a blind; on the other hand, the opening inthe at least one second functional wall can also be dimensioned in sucha way that the adjacent storage compartment can take on the function ofa blind. In this storage compartment, it is possible for example toaccommodate spare hand towels or other objects which are to be stored.

In one embodiment, the toilet module comprises two second functionalwalls, which are opposite one another and each comprise on the upperface thereof a portion on which a storage compartment extends towardsthe outside. The storage space can thus be maximised without having toenlarge the external dimensions of the toilet module.

In one embodiment, a washstand is arranged on one second functional wallof the at least one second functional walls in a region facing towardsthe front wall. In this way, the toilet module is fully equipped, thetoilet unit and the washstand being as far away from one another aspossible so as to make full use of the available space.

In one embodiment, the access opening is narrower than the actual frontwall and is arranged in a region of the front wall remote from thewashstand. The access opening thus does not take up the entire width ofthe front wall. As a result of the asymmetrical arrangement, a usablecorner, into which the washstand extends, is located between therelevant second functional wall and the front wall. The front wall whichis configured in this manner makes possible a considerable reduction inthe space which is taken up.

In one embodiment, the washstand extends into a region of the front wallremote from the access opening. In this way, the washstand impinges on aregion of the front wall which does not have any function relating toaccess to the toilet module. In this context, the washstand can alsoextend minimally into a region in front of the access opening, so longas this does not impede entry to the toilet module. In one example, thetransition from the access opening to the widest point of the washstandcan be formed in a visually pleasing manner by way of a curved shape,and the risk of collision can be eliminated.

In one embodiment, the washstand has a longitudinal extension, thelongitudinal extension of the washstand extending substantially parallelto the longitudinal extension axis of the washstand. If the washstandcomprises a washbasin of an approximately ellipsoidal shape, theavailable width may be greater than the necessary depth in the washstand. In this example, the longitudinal extension could coincide withan axis which extends along the greatest extent of the washbasin or ofthe washstand which accommodates the washbasin. In addition, thewashstand extends along the relevant second functional wall. Forexample, a front edge portion of the washstand which is arranged in theregion of the washbasin and projects into the space, an extension axisof the washbasin, or another eye-catching feature may form thelongitudinal extension of the washstand in this context. As a result ofthe parallel orientation of the two longitudinal extensions, aparticularly expedient use of space and a particularly generous sense ofspace can be provided. In this way, a person standing at the washstandwill be obstructed as little as possible by the toilet unit, and theintermediate space between the toilet unit and the washstand may be of alargely constant width.

In one embodiment, a vertical boundary wall of a storage space extendsabove the toilet unit as far as the first functional wall. Vertical inthis context refers to an orientation perpendicular to the floor surfaceenclosed by the housing. If the first functional wall is curved, thetoilet unit projects sufficiently far into the toilet module, asdiscussed previously, for a person to be able to sit on it and standupright in front of it. Behind the toilet unit, as far as the firstfunctional wall, this results in a region which can be used if aboundary wall is arranged in a vertical orientation. A storage spacewhich is formed in this way is arranged in the toilet module in such away that a user can use the toilet unit in a conventional manner withoutbeing impeded by the storage space. If the first functional wall is notcurved, the toilet unit may, in one example, move or extend sufficientlyfar from the first functional wall into the toilet module that thevertical boundary wall can completely or mostly extend over it. Wheninstalled, the boundary surface is visually perceived to be the rearwall of the toilet module.

In one embodiment, the first functional wall is orientated parallel tothe front wall. In this way, the toilet module according to the presentdisclosure may be of a rectangular cross-section, in such a way that thetoilet module can be arranged to the side of an aisle in a vehiclecabin, for example in a tail portion or in a cylindrical region. Also,the overall design of the walls may thereby be clearly simplified.

In one embodiment, the first functional wall may also extend at an angleto the front wall, in such a way that the resulting toilet module couldbe arranged in a tail cone of an aircraft, in which the available depthbecomes smaller, extending towards a pressure bulkhead which defines thetail end of the aircraft cabin. In this way, it would also further beconceivable to arrange the toilet unit in a deeper region of the toiletmodule, so as further to improve the sense of space.

If the use of toilet modules having non-perpendicular arrangements ofthe front wall and second functional wall is being considered, thetoilet module should be modified in such a way that the front wallcomprises an access opening which is remote from one of the at least onesecond functional walls, a washstand being arranged in a region of thesecond functional wall which is orientated towards the front wall. Thewashstand should extend towards the front wall, while the toilet unithas an extension axis which faces away from the washstand.

In one embodiment, the second functional wall, towards which the toiletunit faces, has a protrusion on the underside thereof. The protrusiongenerally extends from the floor surface of the toilet module to aheight which exceeds the height of the toilet unit, and which may beapproximately at the height of a washstand which can be attached to oneof the second functional walls. The protrusion may provide a largerspace on the inside of the toilet module, and on the outside may make itpossible for the backrests of passenger seats which are arrangeddirectly adjacent to the toilet module to pivot inwards. The protrusionis in one example, located on the second functional wall towards whichthe toilet unit faces. The other second functional wall, which isopposite the second functional wall having the protrusion, may in asimple variant be made planar or substantially planar.

In one embodiment, the respective other second functional wall comprisesan indentation, which is generally configured so as to correspond to theprotrusion in the opposite second functional wall. Because a washstandor other means is usually positioned there, and does not take upexcessive space on the underside thereof, the indentation can beprovided without restricting the space as a result. In the meantime,this configuration makes it possible to line up a plurality of toiletmodules according to the present disclosure, in which two secondfunctional walls are positioned tight against one another, a protrusionprojecting into an indentation in each case. A first toilet module mayfor example have a planar second functional wall and a second functionalwall having a protrusion, while a subsequent second toilet module has anindentation on one second functional wall and a protrusion on theopposite second functional wall, in such a way that the second toiletwall can be positioned tight and flush against the first toilet module.Besides lining up the modules, however, the indentation can also be usedso as to provide a passenger seat which is arranged behind withsufficient foot or leg room.

In an exemplary embodiment, a storage shelf is arranged inside thetoilet module and is positioned adjacent to at least one of the at leastone second functional wall. Thereby, the basin of a washstand may beintegrated into this storage shelf such that a user may place items e.g.a toothbrush, toothpaste or other hygiene items onto this storage shelf.The storage shelf may be interpreted as a shelf like board that ishorizontally arranged in the toilet module. Underneath a storage shelf astowage compartment and/or a lining for a pleasant appearance may bearranged.

Compared to the above described element of the washstand, the storageshelf may comprise a clearly larger extension. Still, the storage shelfmay primarily have the same function and may also be interpreted as awashstand. Therefore, all above-mentioned features directed to thewashstand are also suitable for and may also relate to the storageshelf, independent of the basin being integrated into the storage shelf.

The storage shelf in one example, extends from a position adjacent tothe first functional wall to a position adjacent to at least one of theat least one second functional wall. Thereby, a rather large storagespace is provided for a user to temporarily place items on the storageshelf.

In one embodiment, the storage shelf may comprise a waste flap underwhich a rubbish bin is arranged. A waste flap may be a flat,surface-like component that is swivably supported in a correspondinglyshape opening of the storage shelf and comprises a spring mechanism thatallows a swivelling motion of the waste flap in a downward directioninto an open position. It further forces the waste flap to return into aclosed position such that the waste flap is flushly arranged in theopening of the storage shelf. Hence, the user may simply press the wasteflap down to release the opening of the rubbish bin located underneaththe waste flap in order to insert rubbish.

In one example, the waste flap and rubbish bin are located in an edgeregion between the first functional wall and one of the at least onesecond functional wall. As the edge region is adjacent to the toiletunit it may enclose a rather large rubbish bin. This part inside thetoilet module mainly remains unused by the user himself and does notlimit the feeling of space for a user who sits on the toilet.

In one embodiment, a swivable table is attached to one of the firstfunctional wall and the at least one second functional wall, wherein theswivable table is swivable into a stowage position and into a useposition, wherein in the stowage position the swivable table rests flushon the respective functional wall and wherein in the use position thetable rests on a support in a horizontal position. Such a swivable tableinside the toilet module may exemplarily be used as a nursing table orfor placing clothes on the swivable table when the user changes clothesinside the toilet module.

In one embodiment, the swivable table may be attached to the firstfunctional wall and thereby has a use position directly above the toiletunit and a stowage position in which the swivable table constitutes apart of the first functional wall.

In one embodiment, the support for the swivable table may be a part ofthe storage shelf. For placing the swivable table in a use position, itmay therefore just be swivelled down from the first or second functionalwall and may rest on the storage shelf. A hinge line of a swivellingmechanism or a hinge of the swivable table may therefore be positionedcorresponding to the height of the storage shelf such that the swivabletable reaches a substantially horizontal position when it comes to reston the storage shelf.

In case the swivable table extends over an edge region between the firstfunctional wall and one of the at least one second functional wall wherethe rubbish bin is located, it may comprise a recess or cut-outcorresponding to the waste flap for allowing the user to put rubbishinto the rubbish bin even when the swivable table is placed in a useposition.

In one embodiment, a working light is installed in the housing of thetoilet module that allows lighting of the swivable table in a useposition. For example, a light may be installed in the first or secondfunctional wall in a region where the swivable table rests in a stowageposition.

Furthermore, the respective first or second functional wall, at whichthe swivable table rests in a stowage position, can comprise a recessfor receiving the swivable table. A working light may be installed inthis recess. The swivable table can be coupled to a working light switchthat switches on the working light as soon as the swivable table isbrought into the use position.

Furthermore, the respective functional wall at which the swivable tablerests in its stowage position, can comprise a working light thatprovides an indirect lighting when the swivable table is resting in therecess. The light rays from the working light may reach the inside ofthe toilet module housing through gaps between the respective functionalwall and the swivable table.

In one embodiment, the access opening is closable by means of a bi-folddoor. Thereby, the motion of the door does not require a lot ofinstallation space and the user has an improved feeling of space onentering the toilet module and subsequently closing the bi-fold door.

In one embodiment, one of the at least one second functional wallcomprises a stretcher flap that is swivably mounted on the respectivesecond functional wall and may be swivelled into or out of the housingof the toilet module, wherein the stretcher flap reaches an edge betweenthe respective second functional wall and the front wall. Thereby, apart of the respective second wall may be swivelled from a closedposition, wherein the stretcher flap constitutes a part of therespective second functional wall, into an obstruction avoidanceposition, in which a stretcher moved inside the cabin of the aircraft isnot obstructed by the toilet module. The handling of a stretcher isclearly improved as a clearly increased space is provided for moving thestretcher to or from the passenger seats.

In one example, the stretcher flap is arranged on or in the secondfunctional wall that is directly adjacent to the wash basin and fromwhich the toilet unit faces away, respectively. Thereby, the stretcherflap may extend from a top position of the second functional wall to aposition above the wash basin.

In one embodiment, the above mentioned bi-fold door is arranged on thefront wall of the toilet module, wherein a slidable end of the bi-folddoor is directed to the edge between the front wall and the respectivesecond functional wall. By opening the bi-fold door the slidable end maybe slided away from the respective edge such that the access opening isopened. By also swivelling the stretcher flap into an obstructionavoidance position a whole section of the toilet module housing isremoved such that a stretcher may easily be moved around or along thetoilet module. The stretcher flap may thereby extend over a substantialpart of the height of the toilet module and in one example, from aregion above the washstand or storage shelf up to the upper side of thehousing and generally up to the upper edge of the door in the accessopening.

In one embodiment, an outward protrusion is arranged on the secondfunctional wall, from which the toilet unit faces away. If the relevantsecond functional wall comprises a washstand, the protrusion may bearranged in a region which is positioned between the washstand and thetoilet unit. The protrusion is located at least at a height above thetoilet unit, and extends substantially as far as an upper face of thetoilet module. However, it may also extend into a lower region. Thisprovides space for the shoulders of the user, without the basicdimensions of the toilet module having to be changed.

In one embodiment, one of the at least one second functional wall issubstantially flat and another second functional wall comprises anafore-mentioned protrusion on an underside of the toilet module, whereina storage compartment extends from the protrusion up to the top of thetoilet module on an outer side of the toilet module. Thereby, thistoilet module may be combined with another toilet module that comprisesa flat second functional wall positionable adjacent to the combinationof the storage compartment and the protrusion, wherein the storagecompartment is usable from an outside of the toilet modules.

In one embodiment, a vehicle attendant seat is arranged on the secondfunctional wall, from which the toilet unit faces away. The vehicleattendant seat may generally be accommodated in a region which isorientated towards the front wall. The vehicle attendant seat is in oneexample, a folding seat, which is only folded out when required, forexample during take-off and landing in the case of an aircraft. Thisleaves space for the toilet module for the protrusion of the secondfunctional wall from which the toilet unit faces away. The protrusionmay generally be formed in such a way that it corresponds to theexternal dimensions, that is to say in particular the depth, of thevehicle attendant seat when said seat is folded up. The vehicleattendant seat is in one example, arranged on a second functional wallwhich does not have an indentation.

The various teachings of the present disclosure further relate to avehicle comprising a vehicle cabin and a toilet module as disclosedabove. In one embodiment, the vehicle may be an aircraft, in particular,a commercial aircraft. The vehicle cabin may further be a passengercabin.

A person skilled in the art can gather other characteristics andadvantages of the disclosure from the following description of exemplaryembodiments that refers to the attached drawings, wherein the describedexemplary embodiments should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunctionwith the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are three-dimensional views of a toilet module with andwithout lateral stowage compartment.

FIG. 2 shows a transparent toilet module, from the same direction as inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a toilet module.

FIG. 4 is a lateral section through a toilet module.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a modified toilet module.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the toilet module from FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a toilet module.

FIG. 8A-8D show three-dimensional views of a toilet module with aswivable table.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show three-dimensional views of a toilet module with astretcher flap and a bi-fold door, while FIGS. 9C and 9D show thestretcher flap in use.

FIGS. 10A and 10B each show a toilet module having an indentation and/ora protrusion.

FIG. 11 shows two toilet modules arranged in a line.

FIG. 12 shows two toilet modules arranged in a line with a stowagecompartment arranged between the toiles modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and usesof the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to bebound by any theory presented in the preceding background or thefollowing detailed description.

FIG. 1A is a three-dimensional view of the toilet module 1 according tothe various teachings of the present disclosure from the outside. Thetoilet module 1 comprises a housing 2 having a front wall 4, which hasan access opening 6 which is sealed by a door 8. The access opening 6only takes up part of the width of the front wall 4, and is not arrangedsymmetrically on the front wall 4, but offset somewhat to the left. Thisresults in a corner region 10, which is made use of on the inside of thetoilet module 1.

A second functional wall 12 is attached to the front wall 4 on theleft-hand side, and has on the underside thereof a protrusion 14, whichenlarges the useable space in the interior of the toilet module 1, yetas a result of a required slant 16 makes it possible in particular forbackrests of passenger seats which are arranged directly adjacent to thetoilet module 1 to pivot inwards on the outside of the toilet module 1.

On an upper face 18 of the toilet module 1, the second functional wall12 comprises an opening 20 which is accessible from the inside.Conventionally, if the toilet module 1 is arranged alongside an aisle ina vehicle cabin, there will be overhead storage compartments to the leftand right of the toilet module 1, which in turn are in one example,fixed to fuselage formers. The fuselage formers are at a particularpredetermined distance from one another, and thus limit the installationpositions of overhead storage compartments. The distance from the secondfunctional wall 12 to the last fuselage former which can be used forfixing an overhead storage compartment can be filled with an additionalstorage compartment 21 which extends outwards from the opening 20 of thesecond functional wall 12 and is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. Inthis way, consumable items, such as hand towels and the like, can bestored without wasting valuable space inside the toilet module 1.

FIG. 1B shows a very similar toilet module 101 basically having the samecomponents as the toilet module 1 of FIG. 1A, but without an opening 20for accessing a storage compartment 21.

FIG. 2 is a transparent drawing of the arrangement of installationsinside the toilet module 1. In this context, a further second functionalwall 24 can be seen and supports a washstand 26 which extends from thissecond functional wall 24 in the region 10 of the front wall 4. Thewashstand 26 is accordingly located as far as possible into the cornerbetween the front wall 4 and the second functional wall 24, which areperpendicular to one another.

A toilet unit 30 is arranged on a first functional wall 28 opposite thefront wall 4, and projects from the first functional wall 28 into theinside of the toilet module 1. The toilet unit 30 is arranged as faraway from the washstand 26 as possible. The toilet unit 30 is locatedapproximately centrally on the first functional wall 28 and is pivotedsomewhat to the left. A longitudinal extension axis of the toilet unit,which is made clear in the following drawing, accordingly forms anon-zero angle with the second functional wall 24, which supports thewashstand 26.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the toilet module 1, showing the constructionsomewhat more clearly. The toilet unit 30 has a longitudinal extensionaxis 32 which extends oblique to the second functional wall 24 and thesecond functional wall 12. The angle α between the longitudinalextension axis 32 and the second functional wall 24 is in one example,in a range of from about 15° to about 45°. For clarity, the angle α inFIG. 3 is drawn with a parallel to the second functional wall 24. Thetoilet unit 30 accordingly faces away from the second functional wall 24and towards the first functional wall 12.

Further, the washstand 26 extends entirely over the corner region 10 ofthe front wall 4, and further projects somewhat in front of the accessopening 6. To avoid collisions and for a visually pleasing form, thewashstand 26 is curved in a drop shape, that is to say the washbasin isformed in a board which curves in a drop shape. The intermediate spacebetween the washstand 26 and the toilet unit 30 can therefore be of avirtually constant width, in such a way that a particularly comfortablesense of space is achieved.

By way of example, the first functional wall 28 is not orientatedparallel to the front wall 4, but extends at a particular angle thereto.The toilet module 1 tapers or widens over the width thereof, in such away that the toilet module 1 can be arranged in the region of a tailcone of an aircraft.

FIG. 4 shows a person 34 who is using the toilet unit 30 and who gains avery comfortable sense of space despite the reduced width of the toiletmodule 1. The person's knees and feet can extend into a region in theprotrusion 14, in such a way that the overall width of the toilet modulecan be reduced, so long as it is possible to sit on the toilet unit 30unimpeded. As a result of the configuration according to the presentdisclosure of the toilet module 1, a width of about 10 inches of thetoilet module 1 can be saved, and this often makes it possible toaccommodate a further row of passenger seats in the vehicle, for examplean aircraft. The distance between rows of passenger seats isconventionally 28-32 inches.

In a region above the toilet unit, a vertical boundary wall 36 canextend as far as the first functional wall 28, where it encloses astorage space 38. The boundary wall 36 can serve as a backrest for theperson 34. This configuration is to be recommended in particular whenthe first functional wall 28 is curved, since the person 34 cannotreadily lean against a curved first functional wall 28. To enlarge thestorage space 38, the toilet unit 30 may optionally be offset furtherinto the inside of the toilet module 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing that a toilet module 39 may additionallycomprise a protrusion 40 on the second functional wall 24 from which thetoilet unit 30 faces away. This gives a person in the inside of thetoilet module 39 sufficient freedom of movement, in particular when theprotrusion is arranged at a height which is above the toilet unit 30. Atthe same time, a vehicle attendant seat 42 can be arranged alongside theprotrusion 40, in a region orientated towards the front wall 4, and isin the form of a folding seat, in one example. The vertical extents ofthe protrusion 40 and the vehicle attendant seat 42 correspond in such away that the vehicle attendant is also not squashed when sitting down.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the toilet module 39, in which theprotrusion 40 and the vehicle attendant seat 42 encompassed thereby areclearly visible. In addition, the toilet module 39 comprises a lateralstorage compartment 21, as well as a protrusion 14 on the secondfunctional wall 12 towards which the toilet unit 30 faces.

In FIG. 7 an arrangement similar to FIG. 3 as a mirror-inverted toiletmodule 111 is shown. The toilet unit 30 has a longitudinal axis 32 thatextends oblique to the first functional wall 110, which is arrangedparallelly to the front wall 4. Extending from the first functional wall110 to the left second functional wall 24, from which the toilet unit 30faces away, a storage shelf 112 is installed. In an edge region 114between the first functional wall 110 and the second functional wall 24,a waste flap 116 is arranged, under which a rubbish bin is situated (notdepicted in detail). By pressing the waste flap 116 downwardly, it mayswivel around a hinge axis 117 into an open position and rubbish may beput into the rubbish bin. By means of a spring mechanism (not depictedin detail), the waste flap 116 returns into a neutral position, in whichthe waste flap 116 creates a smooth and even surface with the adjacentparts of the storage shelf 112. As the user does not necessarily needthe space behind or directly adjacent to the toilet unit 30, the rubbishbin may be realized with fairly large dimensions without obstructing theuser and without requiring a large installation space.

Directly behind the toilet unit 30 a swivable table 120 in a stowageposition is shown. The swivable table may be swivelled around a hingeline 122 in order to move it into a use position. In the depictedstowage position the swivable table 120 constitutes a part of the firstfunctional wall 110 visible from the inside of the toilet module.

FIG. 8A shows the toilet module 111 from FIG. 7 in a three-dimensionalpartial section where the swivable table is shown in more detail. Theswivable table 120 is supported in a swivable manner on the firstfunctional wall 110 and hence comprises a substantially horizontal hingeaxis 122 around which the swivable table 120 may be swivelled.Therefore, it may be brought into a position directly adjacent orflushly on the first functional wall 110 (stowage position) and in aposition resting on the storage shelf 112 as a support (use position).

Underneath the waste flap 116 a rubbish bin is positioned. It may beemptied by a swivable cover 119 smoothly integrated into the outersurface of a lining or a stowage compartment underneath the storageshelf 112.

Another three-dimensional partial sectional view presented in FIG. 8Bshows the arrangement of the swivable table 120 from another direction.It is clear that the swivable table 120 may constitute a part of avisible part of the first functional wall 110.

FIG. 8C shows the swivable table 120 in a use position, in which theswivable table 120 is arranged horizontally. The swivable table 120comprises a cut-out 124 for maintaining an accessibility of the wasteflap 116. At an edge 125 of a receiving indentation 129, wherein theedge 125 faces away from the hinge line 122, a working light 127 isarranged. By swivelling down the swivable table 120 the working light127 may be switched on automatically or may be coupled to a manualswitch, or an actuator coupled to a control line, a bus or a network inthe aircraft adapted for receiving a switch command.

FIG. 8D shows the swivable table 120 in a stowage position restingcompletely in the receiving indentation 129. There it may be arrested byarresting means (not shown in detail), which may comprise a ratchetmechanism, a lock, a magnetic element or any other suitable means forholding the swivable table in the stowage position.

Furthermore, a part of the first functional wall 110 comprises a fillerelement 126 fixed to or swivably mounted on the first functional wall110. The filler element 126 can have two functions. It may be used forfilling fills the cut-out 124 of the swivable table 120 in order toprovide a smoothly as possible surface in the stowage position. Theswivable table 120 and the filler element 126 thereby constitute analmost completely continuous element.

Also, by swivably supporting the filler element 126, e.g. around thehinge axis 122, it may also be used for filling the cut-out 124 in theswivable table 120 in a use position. Designing the filler element 126as such a flap clearly reduces a potential danger for pinching ortrapping a hand, fingers, an arm, etc. of a child, who rests on theswivable table when it is used as a nursing table, in the spring loadedwaste flap. The filler element 126 may be designed corresponding to thewaste flap 116 and should have the same thickness as the swivable table120. The cut-out 124 may be designed such that the filler element 126follows a swivelling motion of the table 120 into the stowage positionby providing a step on an inner side of the cut-out that reduces theclearance of the cut-out 124 in a position facing away from the surfacethat is useable, i.e. the upper side of the swivelling table when in theuse position. The filler element 126 may therefore be designed as asafety device. For use of the waste flap the filler element 126 may beopened first to allow waste to be disposed.

By arranging gaps 131 between the swivable table 120 and the receivingindentation 129 or the first functional wall 110 the working light 127can provide an indirect lighting, wherein light rays from the workinglight 127 reach through the gaps 131 to the inside of the housing of thetoilet module.

Further, it may provide a pleasant atmosphere by installing ambient oraccent lights 133 in edge regions between the functional walls, asexemplarily shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D. Of course, these lights may beinstalled in every other exemplary embodiment shown.

FIG. 9A shows a toilet module 102 with an access opening 6 that isclosed by a bi-fold door 104 with a first edge 106 that is swivablysupported in the front wall 4 and with a second edge 108 that isslidably supported in the front wall 4 such that it may slide towardsthe first edge 106. Thereby, the access opening 106 may be opened underconsumption of very little installation space.

In FIG. 9B the bi-fold door 104 is opened. Thereby the second edge 108is now located adjacent to the first edge 106 and the door 104 isfolded. This allows a stretcher flap 109 to be swivelled at leastpartially or completely into the inside of the toilet module 102.Thereby, a large section of an upper section of the housing of thetoilet module 102 is removed and a stretcher may easily be maneuvered inthe vicinity of it.

Exemplarily, the toilet module 102 comprises an arrangement of cabinattendant seats 136 and 138 that are positioned in opposite longitudinaldirections and attached to the toilet module 102 or somehow combinedwith it and arranged directly adjacent to each other. Exemplarily, thecabin attendant seat 136 may be wall mounted, while the cabin attendantseat 138 may be floor mounted adjacent to the toilet module 102.Further, a padding element 140 is installed at the wall mounted cabinattendant seat 136 in a region near a detachable head rest 137 for theprotection of the cabin attendants. The padding element 140 separatesthe head strike path of an attendant seated on the floor mounted cabinattendant seat 138 from the attendant seated on the wall mounted cabinattendant seat 136. The head rest 137 is detachable in order to notobstruct a stretcher while the stretcher flap 109 is moved into theinside of the toilet module 102.

For the purpose of clarity, the practical use of the stretcher flap 109is shown in two additional FIGS. 9C and 9D. The stretcher flap 109 of atoilet module 200 is moved inwardly such that a space above the washbasin 118 is non-obstructive. A head rest of a wall mounted cabinattendant seat 202 may have been detached such that the cabin attendantseat is neither obstructive. As depicted in FIG. 9D a stretcher 208 maybe moved from an aisle 210 to a space 212 in which access doors (notdepicted in detail) may be situated. Due to the limited maneuverabilitycaused by the narrowness of the aisle 210 adjacent to passenger seats206 as well as the narrowness of the space 212, e.g. due to the nearbygalley 204, the stretcher flap 109 supports moving the stretcher 208from an aisle to access doors in the space 212.

FIG. 10A shows a toilet module 44 which comprises a protrusion 48 on asecond functional wall 46 towards which the toilet unit 30 faces. On anopposite second functional wall 52, there is an indentation 50, theshaping of which corresponds to the shape of the protrusion 48. In thisway, a passenger seat 54 behind it can be provided with sufficient footroom.

FIG. 10B furthermore demonstrates a toilet module 132 that does not suchan indentation and may easily be combined with a mirror-inverted toiletmodule 132 or the same toilet module 132 as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 11 shows an arrangement, in a line, of a toilet module 44 from FIG.7 in a mirrored form and of a toilet module 39 from FIG. 6, although thelatter does not have an external storage compartment 21. The secondfunctional wall 46 of the left-hand toilet module 44 is positioned tightagainst the second functional wall 12 of the right-hand toilet module39, resulting in a unit consisting of two toilet modules.

Finally, FIG. 12 shows an arrangement of two toilet modules 132 with astowage compartment 134 arranged above the protrusion of the left toiletmodule and constituting a flat surface arranged flush on the left sideof the right toilet module 132.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and arenot intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of thepresent disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detaileddescription will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elementsdescribed in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toilet module for a vehicle, the toilet modulecomprising: a toilet unit; a housing including: a front wall with anaccess opening; a first functional wall arranged opposite the front walland supporting the toilet unit; and a second functional wallperpendicular to the front wall and extending between the front wall andthe first functional wall; a storage shelf attached to the housing; anda swivable table attached to the housing and movable to an extendedconfiguration, wherein the swivable table overlaps the storage shelfwhen in the extended configuration.
 2. The toilet module of claim 1wherein the swivable table is directly contacted by the storage shelfwhen in the extended configuration.
 3. The toilet module of claim 1wherein the swivable table is indirectly supported by the storage shelfwhen in the extended configuration.
 4. The toilet module of claim 1wherein the storage shelf is adjacent to the second functional wall. 5.The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the storage shelf extends along thefirst functional wall to the second functional wall.
 6. The toiletmodule of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is attached to the firstfunctional wall.
 7. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivabletable is attached to the first functional wall, is movable between astowage configuration and the extended configuration, and constitutes apart of the first functional wall when in the stowage configuration. 8.The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the swivable table is attached tothe first functional wall, is movable between a stowage configurationand the extended configuration, and constitutes a part of the firstfunctional wall when in the stowage configuration.
 9. The toilet moduleof claim 1 wherein the swivable table is movable between a stowageconfiguration and the extended configuration, and wherein the swivabletable is perpendicular to the second functional wall in the stowageconfiguration and in the extended configuration.
 10. The toilet moduleof claim 1 wherein the toilet unit has a longitudinal extension axiswhich forms an angle which is greater than 0° with the second functionalwall.
 11. A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle cabin; and a toilet moduleincluding a housing and a toilet unit, wherein the toilet unit has alongitudinal extension axis and wherein the housing includes: a firstfunctional wall arranged opposite the front wall and supporting thetoilet unit; a second functional wall extending between the firstfunctional wall and the front wall, wherein the second functional wallis perpendicular to the front wall; and a front wall with an accessopening, wherein the housing encloses a floor surface on the undersideof the housing; and wherein the toilet unit has a longitudinal extensionaxis which forms an angle with the second functional wall; ahorizontally arranged storage shelf inside the toilet module adjacent tothe second functional wall; and a swivable table attached to the housingand movable to an extended configuration, wherein the swivable tableoverlaps the horizontally arranged storage shelf when in the extendedconfiguration.
 12. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table isdirectly contacted by the storage shelf when in the extendedconfiguration.
 13. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table isindirectly supported by the storage shelf when in the extendedconfiguration.
 14. The toilet module of claim 1 wherein the storageshelf extends along the first functional wall to the second functionalwall.
 15. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is attachedto the first functional wall.
 16. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein theswivable table is attached to the first functional wall, is movablebetween a stowage configuration and the extended configuration, andconstitutes a part of the first functional wall when in the stowageconfiguration.
 17. The vehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table isattached to the first functional wall, is movable between a stowageconfiguration and the extended configuration, and constitutes a part ofthe first functional wall when in the stowage configuration.
 18. Thevehicle of claim 11 wherein the swivable table is movable between astowage configuration and the extended configuration, and wherein theswivable table is perpendicular to the second functional wall in thestowage configuration and in the extended configuration.
 19. A toiletmodule for a vehicle, the toilet module comprising: a toilet unit; ahousing including: a front wall with an access opening; a firstfunctional wall arranged opposite the front wall and supporting thetoilet unit; a second functional wall perpendicular to the front walland extending between the front wall and the first functional wall; anda third functional wall parallel to the second functional wall andperpendicular to the front wall and extending between the front wall andthe first functional wall; a storage shelf attached to the housing; anda swivable table extending from the second functional wall to the thirdfunctional wall and movable to an extended configuration, wherein theswivable table is supported by the storage shelf when in the extendedconfiguration.
 20. The toilet module of claim 19 wherein the swivabletable is directly supported by the storage shelf when in the extendedconfiguration.